Government Officials Point Fingers as Hadassah Strikes Continue

The Hadassah hospital issue has trickled up the political chain Monday, as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres both responded to the ongoing strikes.

"The hospital administration has failed on the large scale - and now Israeli citizens are forced to bear the cost of the bailout," Netanyahu stated, according to Channel 2. "We need to find a solution which balances the need to keep the hospital running and the need to prevent this crisis from returning within the next few years."

Meanwhile, Channel 10 noted that President Shimon Peres also spoke Monday about the crisis, and called on the government to fix the situation as soon as possible.

"I call on the government and the hospital administration to find a solution that will prevent harm for thousands of patients in and around Jerusalem," the President said during an event organized by Akim at the president's residence in Jerusalem. Akim is the The National Association for the Rehabilitation of Children and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

"I know that when it comes to the patients you must work 24 hours and not let go until you find a solution to the crisis," Peres said. He urged the government and the hospital staff to move quickly to prevent any more damage to the patients, as well as to the hospital's reputation.

The hospital strikes mushroom

The remarks wee the latest development in the Hadassah Medical Center crisis, which has snowballed over the past week from a one-time strike to a highly publicized protest against the treatment of hospital workers in general.

The strike began Tuesday at both Hadassah Ein-Kerem and Hadassah Mount Scopus medical centers, as a backlash against the Finance Ministry for allegedly stalling in negotiations to expand the hospital's budget.

The budget cuts have been hurting patients, according to the staff, which is reeling after a month on half-pay. As a result, the centers closed their doors Tuesday, operating on the schedule normally reserved for Shabbat and holidays. Doctors and hospital staff have been leaving the hospital in droves as talks stall.

Following the drastic step, the Knesset decided to hold a hearing about the crisis on Monday, in the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee. Avigdor Kaplan, CEO of the Medical Center, and Professor Roni Gamzo, Director of the Ministry of Health, will both attend the hearing.

The Hadassah organization released an urgent letter to the government and to the public Friday over the strike, urging the state to step up its efforts to keep the hospital going and asking for public support.